For the first time in almost a decade of relatively consistent growth, cosmetic surgical procedure totals for women and men combined dipped below 31,000 – with 2016’s totals 5 percent less than those in 2007. Male procedure numbers were fewer than in 2005 (2,440 in 2005 > 2,409 in 2016), but while men’s ops were 48 percent less than the previous year, they still accounted for the same proportion of all patients, roughly 1 percent of the total number, the data show.

The environment of uncertainty, fear (terrorist attacks) and shaky identity (Brexit) encourages some areas of spending, but not others. “In a climate of global fragility, the public are less likely to spend on significant alterations and become more fiscally conservative, by and large opting for less costly non-surgical procedures such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion[5], rather than committing to more permanent changes,” says former BAAPS President Rajiv Grover. “The background of negative news and economic uncertainty seems to have re-invigorated the famous British ‘stiff upper lip’ –achieved, however, through dermal fillers and wrinkle-relaxing injections, rather than surgery!”

Some procedures which have no real non-surgical equivalent such as abdominoplasty and otoplasty changed little, with demand for tummy tucks actually recording an impressive rise amongst men, he says. Specifically, abdominoplasty surgery remained popular for both genders, increasing to 6th place in 2016 from 8th place in 2015. Despite nearly 50 percent fewer men undergoing surgery than in 2015, there was a 47 percent increase in male abdominoplasty surgery.

Women's cosmetic surgery dropped 39 percent from 2015, and while breast augmentation continues to remain the most popular procedure for women, with almost 8,000 (7,732) undergoing surgery, overall numbers sagged by 20 percent. Many surgeons also report that the oversized styles of the past have made way for smaller sizes, resulting in more natural enhancement.

BAAPS: MEN & WOMEN COMBINED

The top surgical procedures for men & women in 2016 (total 30,750. A fall of 39.9 percent from 2015)

In order of popularity:

Breast augmentation: 7,769 - down 20% from last year

Browlift: 607 – down 71%

Otoplasty (ear correction): 987 – down 9%

Fat Transfer: 1,459 – down 56%

Rhinoplasty: 2,703 – down 14%

Abdominoplasty: 2,763 – down 6%

Liposuction: 3,218 – down 42%

Face/Neck Lift: 3,453 – down 53%

Breast Reduction: 3,886 – down 38%

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 3,905 – down 38%

BAAPS: WOMEN ONLY

The top surgical procedures for women in 2016 (28,341 total. A fall of 39.1 percent from 2015)

Women had 92 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2015.

2016 figures for women in order of popularity:

Breast augmentation: 7,732 – down 20% from last year

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 3,584 – down 55%

Breast Reduction: 3,566 – down 38%

Face/Neck Lift: 3,328 – down 53%

Liposuction: 2,879 – down 42%

Abdominoplasty: 2,591 – down 6%

Rhinoplasty: 2,174 – down 14%

Fat Transfer: 1,359 – down 56%

Otoplasty (ear correction): 566 – down 9%

Browlift: 562 – down 71%

BAAPS: MEN ONLY

The top surgical procedures for men in 2016 (2,409 total. A fall of 47.8 percent from 2015)

Modern Aesthetics® is the source for expert advice on patient care and practice development for cosmetic surgeons. With content by and for clinicians, each edition offers unique perspective and insight regarding the latest developments in aesthetics–from skin care to advanced procedures–and strategies for clinicians to successfully incorporate them into practice.